Brian Ahern from "Country Music and More" website:

Native of Toledo Ohio Duane Michaels has lived in Nashville, Tennessee for the past 13 years. Basically in search of that big break in country music. He has done the rounds of showcase gigs including the famous Bluebird Café and to date has cut a couple of albums. The first being the well-accepted “Little Bit Of Love” and the second “Ladies Choice” which includes his single “(If It Weren't For Country Music) I'd Go Crazy”, which has scored on the European Country Music charts. Also his new single “Heartbreak Highway”.

As a singer musician Duane does over 200 gigs a year playing all kinds of music accompanying himself on accordion and being multi lingual having the ability to sing in 5 different languages, singing from light opera to Glen Miller. But his real love is country music.

The latest album is beautifully produced and presented. Containing 13 tracks written by the cream of the Nashville crop. Starting with “(If It Weren't For Country Music) I'd Go Crazy”—a smashing, solid country song that shows Duane's tenor voice of superbly. Fiddle steel and a Merle Haggard name check along with Hank and Willie and even Restless Heart makes it fine by me. “One Shot At A Time” shows of Duane's lower register and gentle accordion in a romantic way. Two songs in and this guy is already impressing with his entertainment value. Staying in the ballad mode “Who Needs It” fits the bill and begs the question, “why is this guy not a big star”. The title track “Ladies Choice” swings into the honky tonks as I reach for that bottle of Bud to toast the band and the dance floor. I like Duane's approach to “Standing On The Edge Of Love” with this dance floor filler. “Master Of Illusion” slows the tempo down, while placing the romance high, with this delightful ballad. “Satisfy Me And I'll Satisfy You” keeps the romance at the top level. I detect a popping banjo in the mix and a hint of the Marty Robbins high register in Duane's voice. Interesting indeed! Love the drive in his latest single “Heartbreak Highway”. I detect some Ricky Skaggs influence and Albert Lee style picking in there somewhere—that's how good it is. “I've Called To Say I Love You One More Time” is good and country with a hint of Italian romance brought in through a mandolin passage between a steel guitar and the excellent vocals. One of my favourite songs is Merle Haggard's “ I Can't Be Myself” and Duane sure does it justice with his splendid reading of this classic country song. “Couldn't Love Have Picked) A Better Place To Die” gets a wonderful reading filled with pathos and sad romance, which is the demand of the song and performance. The lights are kept low in “Little Railroad Town”—a reflective song of pending values and real fortune that I guess we all seek within our lives. Nice song. This quality album closes with a bite in “Play Ruby Play” as the song says “A country soul and a rock ‘n' roll heart”.

I have enjoyed every minute of this fine album from Duane Michaels a country music talent that is emerging from the wings towards the centre stage through his belief and ability.

Brian Ahern, Country Music and More Magazine (magazine review from the United Kingdom)